Travis Johnson

TALLAHASSEE -- Before he arrived at Florida State, Brodrick Bunkley ranted when he stepped onto a football field. He ranted when he stepped onto the sideline. The ritual kept his emotions at a fever pitch, all the better to withstand the rigors of playing defensive tackle. "In high school, I was gunfire," said Bunkley, a graduate of Chamberlain High in Tampa. "Every time we'd get down a little bit, I'd just go off and try my hardest to do what I can." Bunkley since has learned to channel his energy, and that has made him a more effective football player.

The prosecutor of a Florida State University football player acquitted Thursday of rape criticized college officials for trying to work out a deal between the nose guard and his accuser to keep the matter quiet and out of court. Assistant Leon County State Attorney Adam Ruiz said FSU President T.K. Wetherell spoke to both parties in the case and the school's vice president of student affairs tried to get the woman not to press charges in exchange for Travis Johnson getting counseling and leaving school for six months.

The Texans pulled a minor surprise, going for FSU DT Travis Johnson with their first-round pick. That position wasn't a big priority. Johnson had a superb senior season, using his great physical ability to make big plays in every game. But his first three seasons were rather mediocre, with big games followed by games in which he didn't do anything. He also has had some off-field issues. When motivated, the guy can play. Third-rounder Vernand Morency, a tailback from Oklahoma State, is 25 and a former minor-league baseball player.

PRACTICE REPORT: The Seminoles practiced for about 40 minutes on Monday night, as is their custom, but changes could be in store the rest of the week. Coach Bobby Bowden said the offense could practice Thursday in Doak Campbell Stadium. Doing so would allow FSU to play load noise over the stadium loudspeakers in preparation for Saturday's game at Clemson's Memorial Stadium, aka "Death Valley." INJURIES: Injuries to Jerome Carter (right knee bone contusion) and Gennarro Jackson (possible hernia)

PRACTICE REPORT: Florida State's returning players reported to fall practice Friday, taking physicals and participating in conditioning drills. Senior receiver Anquan Boldin of Pahokee was cleared by team physicians for the start of practice. Boldin, who missed last season following reconstructive knee surgery, made his required times in impressive fashion. Other injured players such as defensive tackles Darnell Dockett (Achilles tendon) and Travis Johnson (ankle) and receiver Robert Morgan (knee)

PRACTICE REPORT: Florida State will conclude its short practice week with a light workout this morning before embarking for Maryland. The Seminoles face the Terrapins on Thursday night. Coach Bobby Bowden got a scare during Tuesday's practice when leading receiver Marvin Minnis went to the ground writhing in pain. Turns out he'd been stung by a bee. "I thought we lost Minnis.'' Bowden said. "He was squirming.'' Florida State's running game has improved from 100th nationally to 59th over the past two weeks.

The St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce has announced plans for 4th of July celebration at the lakefront with all day activities.Beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting until 4 p.m. there will be a Bathtub Regatta with the proceeds to benefit Easter Seals. Hotdogs, drinks and chips will also be served on the St. Cloud Beach.Beginning at 2 p.m. there will be children's races sponsored by the Jaycees, a dunking booth sponsored by the chamber, a horseshoe tournament, a baby show sponsored by the St. Cloud Lions Club and a pet show for children sponsored by the St. Cloud Junior Woman's Club at 3 p.m. Entries for the pet show must be received by Saturday at 5 p.m. Forms are available at the chamber or Exotic Pets Unlimited.

TALLAHASSEE -- Before he arrived at Florida State, Brodrick Bunkley ranted when he stepped onto a football field. He ranted when he stepped onto the sideline. The ritual kept his emotions at a fever pitch, all the better to withstand the rigors of playing defensive tackle. "In high school, I was gunfire," said Bunkley, a graduate of Chamberlain High in Tampa. "Every time we'd get down a little bit, I'd just go off and try my hardest to do what I can." Bunkley since has learned to channel his energy, and that has made him a more effective football player.

Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville said he's been too busy trying to correct his team's problems to worry about the criticism the Tigers' 0-2 start has generated. "I've made it a policy not to read the Internet, computers and newspapers," Tuberville said. "I really don't have time to begin with. I haven't even turned my computer on. "If I pay too much attention to what's said, what's read or what's written, obviously we wouldn't be getting a lot better. You've got to be in your own little world.

TALLAHASSEE -- After hearing two days of testimony, a jury of six women deliberated for less than 30 minutes Thursday before it acquitted Florida State football player Travis Johnson of a sexual-battery charge. The verdict prompted tears of joy from Johnson and his family, as well as tears from the complainant, who heard the jury's findings as she sat between her parents in Courtroom 1B of the Leon County Courthouse. "It's a feeling just of grace because none of this could be happening if God didn't want this to happen," a tearful Johnson said afterward.

The prosecutor of a Florida State University football player acquitted Thursday of rape criticized college officials for trying to work out a deal between the nose guard and his accuser to keep the matter quiet and out of court. Assistant Leon County State Attorney Adam Ruiz said FSU President T.K. Wetherell spoke to both parties in the case and the school's vice president of student affairs tried to get the woman not to press charges in exchange for Travis Johnson getting counseling and leaving school for six months.

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State defensive tackle Travis Johnson will stand trial next week on sexual battery, a second-degree felony. At a pretrial hearing Thursday at the Leon County Courthouse, Circuit Court Judge Thomas Bateman III determined that Johnson's trial will begin Wednesday and could run into Thursday. Jury selection starts this morning. Johnson, a 21-year old junior from Sherman Oaks, Calif., faces a maximum of 15 years in prison if found guilty. Lead defense attorney John Kenny reiterated Thursday that Johnson -- who started for much of last season -- is innocent.

The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando released the preseason "watch list'' for the Butkus Award, and there are six state players among the 67 on the list: Florida State's Michael Boulware and Kendyll Pope, Miami's Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams, Florida's Bam Hardmon and South Florida's Kawika Mitchell. Mitchell is a senior from Lake Howell High. FLORIDA CUP AT STAKE With Florida, Florida State and Miami playing each other for the first time in 15 years, there will be more than just bragging rights on the line.

PRACTICE REPORT: Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden's team, like most others around the country, faced an unscheduled open date last Saturday. Bowden, whose sixth-ranked Seminoles travel to North Carolina (0-3) on Saturday, said the layoff seems a bit longer. "It seems like a year since we've played," Bowden said. "You hope execution is not shoddy, but it could be. I think it will be more like the first game of the year." . . . Kevin Emanuel will start at defensive end against the Tar Heels despite a strong push from a healthy Charles Howard, who was expected to be the starter this season.

PRACTICE REPORT: The banged-up Seminoles learned Tuesday that one defensive starter could miss up to a month with a knee injury while another may be forced to the bench for an Oct. 13 meeting with top-ranked Miami. The injuries were the latest to beset a unit whose depth is stretched paper thin. Junior defensive end Alonzo Jackson was diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament sprain and bone bruise to his right knee. The injury, originally feared to be a torn ligament, will sideline Jackson for 3-4 weeks.

PRACTICE REPORT: Florida State's returning players reported to fall practice Friday, taking physicals and participating in conditioning drills. Senior receiver Anquan Boldin of Pahokee was cleared by team physicians for the start of practice. Boldin, who missed last season following reconstructive knee surgery, made his required times in impressive fashion. Other injured players such as defensive tackles Darnell Dockett (Achilles tendon) and Travis Johnson (ankle) and receiver Robert Morgan (knee)